Thompson: We’re getting there step by step

29 October 2009

James Thompson says he will look to make the most of any opportunities that arise for the factory LADA Sport team as the World Touring Car Championship heads to Japan for the penultimate round of the year.

The Briton picked up a brace of points finishes on his last outing for the team at Imola and heads to Japan on the back on his victory in the European Touring Car Cup at Braga last weekend.

Following Thompson's point scoring display in Italy, the LADA squad headed to France to test engine evolutions for the new Priora and the Briton said he was hopeful that team would be able to challenge again at Okayama.

“Life is really good at the moment,” he said. “I've been very busy, and together with the LADA engineers, we're making steady progress with the Priora. There's still a long way to go but step by step we are getting there.

“Japan is a difficult track and there's a risk of bad weather as well, Under these circumstances absolutely anything can happen, so we will be aiming to make the most of any opportunities that come our way over the course of the weekend.”

Of the other two LADA drivers, Jaap van Lagen has also impressed in recent meetings with his speed and after the disappointment of being forced out of the Imola event following an accident in race one, the Dutchman said he was confident of a solid weekend.

“I think Japan will be a lot of fun,” he said. “After what has been an extremely positive year, we are all determined to end the season on a high. Our speed has been improving with every race and I hope we can continue like this in Okayama.

“However, I am sure that our competitors will done a lot of work during the month long break as well. Let's see what happens.”